Vicars Letter 5th September 2025

Rev Guy Benton

Kia ora, All Saints

Welcome to Spring! What a treat to have some beautiful days at the beginning of the week to enjoy; the same can't be said for the last day or so, and we can really appreciate them. How good is our creator?

This week I have been reading a bit about human desires, how they control and don't control us, and where they come from. Looking at will power, influences on our lives, upbringing, truth and lies we are told, and then the original origins of what we desire and the power and transformation of Christ in our lives. 

Today (Friday, 5th Sept), we had our regular Mainly Music Team Discipleship Huddle, where we are learning to lead Discovery Bible Studies. We looked at the passage from Romans 12:1-2 and were struck by how God is for us, helps us, and has a good, pleasing, and perfect will for us. We were also struck by the call to turn our attention away from the world and towards Christ, and through him, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. We offer ourselves as living sacrifices in gratitude for all He has done for us. I love that it is through the power of Christ that we are renewed, not by the ways of the world, and not by our willpower alone. I love the testimony of Augustine, who had an intellectual conversion and tried to satisfy his distorted desires by willpower alone, but it was only after encountering the risen Jesus through the power of the Spirit that he saw real and lasting transformation of his full self. 

Where are we putting our attention? What desires control us or lead us away from Christ? Are we trying to battle the world on willpower alone? Are we letting God take complete control, or are we hanging on? 

This week, we are starting a month of Mission here at All Saints. Each week, we will use a resource from NZCMS that will focus on a different facet of Mission, Pray, Give, Go, and Connect. 

There is quite a bit in our newsletter this week, so please do check that out. Mission Partner update, Maori Wards evening, Parish Camp sign up, and more. 

Love in Christ